The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1st and 2nd 2023 (4)

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1^st and 2^nd 2023 (4)

Caste system in Burma / Myanmar: The Burmese authorities presently recognise no fewer than 135 separate ethnic groups out of 55 million population, living within the union. Of these, the Bamar are easily the largest. Myanmar’s first national census in over 30 years. The other six main ethnic groups are –

1. the Shan, 2. Kachin, 3. Kayin,

4. Rakhine, 5. Chin and 6. Mon,

each of which has its own state. These seven main ethnic groups together constitute about 92 per cent, with the remaining 8 per cent divided between a fascinating patchwork of minority tribes. Jane Fergusson discussed the issue as follows[1]: The system of caste, or a hierarchical social system based on occupation, prestige, and ideas about pollution, had been considered a master trope in the framing of the imperial census[2] (Kumar 2006:387), and one which colonial officers had grown accustomed to in British India. Census officials even noted that caste could be tested by ‘actual existing facts and beliefs to a far greater extent than is possible with respect to race’ (Webb[3] 1912:250). However, the categories of caste simply did not gain traction for census officials working in Burma; thus they struggled to find another way to approach human differences and quantify race in Burma. The nine ‘race’ categories used by the British census-takers were:

1. Burmese; 2. Other indigenous race; 3. Chinese;

4. Indians born in Burma; 5. Indians born outside Burma; 6. Indo-Burman race;

7. Europeans and allied races; 8. Anglo-Indians; 9. Other race.

According to C.C. Lowis[4] (1902), the Burman is ‘so absolutely enamoured of freedom that he cannot abide the bonds that caste demands’ (Lowis 1902:107). Without the category of caste, and where religion ‘indicates but little’, colonial surveyors concluded that language would therefore be the most ‘obvious and surest criterion of difference’ (Lowis 1902:112): If the speech of a particular community cannot be assigned to a particular group, that community is, ipso facto, isolated, whatever similarity its customs, dress and physical traits may have with the customs, dress and physical traits of any other community, neighbouring or otherwise.

Caste thennic groups, ethnicity, denomination, sect and such other classification based on race, racism and racialism, religion, theology, philosophy etc., exist in Thailand……..

Sectarian, sectarianism, sectarian faith etc: The words and sect, expressions sectarian, sectarianism, sectarian faith etc., have not been positive, but negative and bad in connotation in the western or western religious context. Throughout American history, “sectarian” has been used to exclude and to ostracize. It is a term that is used to disparage and marginalize particular groups of Americans and particular kinds of thinking. That “sectarian” is hardly a flattering term is evident from even a cursory look at any standard dictionary. Among its more common synonyms are “bigoted,” “narrow-minded,” “heretical,” “parochial,” and “dogmatic.” Christians have used the word to describe Pharisees, atheists, and other Christians; Unitarians to put down Presbyterians and Roman Catholics; political liberals and conservatives to insult each other[5]. Richard A. Baer, Jr explains that[6], “The reason is really quite simple. Even though the term “sect” can have the relatively neutral meaning of “a group of persons having the same principles, beliefs, or opinions or can be employed technically in a non-pejorative sense by sociologists of religion, the ordinary usage of “sectarian” is derogatory. Indeed, “sectarian” more often than not is what we might call “caste language.” It is a term that has been used throughout much of American history to keep religious and social “untouchables” in their proper place. Just as ruling elites have used racial and sexual epithets to put down blacks and women, so they have used “sectarian” to exclude and marginalize those individuals and groups whose religious or philosophical beliefs or social practices did not correspond to their own vision of what was appropriate in the cultural marketplace”.

The theme of the seminar changed from “Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India,” to   “Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints”: Though, the topic was “Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India,” (as appeared in the brochure first) most of the paper presenters were trying to interpret the present ideology on the medieval period and even the prehistoric and protohistoric past. It also appears that the theme was changed to “Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints” suddenly, as noted later on the banner, “Abstract,” scribbling pad etc. Actually, I prepared my paper only based on the such theme and sent my full paper on 31-01-2023 itself. The theme, “Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India,” has been entirely different from that of,   “Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints.” It is a fact that during the transitional period 7th century to the medieval period till the advent of the Mohammedans and the European colonial forces, all the sectarian faiths had to suffer by them. The ruling and dominant faiths Janism and Buddhism had to suffer from their attacks, in spite of their oversea and inland business and commercial authority. When religious dominance and excesses started, these two could not match up with them (Islam and Christianity). Moreover, the interaction among the believers of Andhra, Karnataka and Tamilagam showed the intra and inter-faith and religious debates, polemics and wrangles, leading to physical sometimes. Obviously, the organizers must have realized from my paper and changed the theme. Therefore, it is evident that they changed the theme itself, perhaps, without informing.

Under the Ambedkarite Constitution, Caste should continue or not: Eleanor Zelliot (1992), Uma Chakravarthi (1996), Gail Omvedt (2003) and others cleverly avoided the continuance of caste in spite of opposing caste, supporting reservation, though opposing positive discrimination, exclusion etc., Thus, the ideological egalitarianism, theoretical Utopianism and sermonized equality always try to and evade the legal, constitutional and judicial position and condition of the prevalent issues. The restricted reservation for SCs has been continuing. The reservation after conversion for the neo-Buddhists, and Sikhs continues, as they are “Hindus” only as per Article 25 of the Constitution. Thus, the Christians and much later the Muslims too started demanding the amendment of the Constitution Order, 1950 to accommodate the converted Christians and Muslims also. Though, these ideologists claim that “The Ambedkar Constitution,” they want to amend it, without realizing the judicial implications.

What is required by the believers in a “Secular state or country”?: Dialogue is required for understanding other and the point of view of others, whether, in a family, society or anywhere, where human interaction takes place. Thus, it is imperative and implied that such a process is possible with all family and societal members. Discussion, debate and deliberation always involve mutual, reciprocated and two-way flow of thought, thought processes and conclusion. Monologue is considered as a speech presented by a single dramatist character, theoretical expert or ideologized professional most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. In theatre, a monologue may be enjoyed when delivered by favourite character or person, as none is going to ask him.   Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media (plays, films, etc.), as well as in non-dramatic media such as poetry, literary narratives, political discourses and other verbose. Monologues share much in common with several other literary devices including soliloquies, apostrophes, and asides. There are, however, distinctions between each of these devices, audience and ideologists. Many times such monologues, particularly thrusted, imposed and forced to listen lead to autocratic, dominating and dictatorial. Free speech is talked about and sermonized blaming others as despotic, tyrannical, repressive, oppressive and so on, but, how such whistle-blowers indulge.

In dialogue, the engaged parties should listen to and understand the other party / parties also: There is a maxim Audi Alteram Partem and it is not known whether monologuers could understand and realize it. It means hear the other side; hear both sides, in other words the authority hearing the matter must be afforded hearing to the party who is likely to be affected by its decision. In judicial, quasi-judicial or any sensible legal process, it is expected. Therefore, those who talk about thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis should not avoid or be afraid of Audi Alteram Partem. Here, most of the speakers have predetermined mind-set and they spoke even any prepared paper about certain premises and conditions only in their perspective, that too blaming Brahmin, Brahman, Brahminism, Brahminical system, and even Brahminical virus and so on. Inside, “Acharya Nagarjuna University,” though such seminar was taking place under the auspices of “The Mahayana Buddhist Study Centre,” the sectarian bias had been explicit and aggressive and combating.

Justice, natural justice, social justice, equity, equality etc: Though, often Justice, natural justice, social justice, equity, equality etc, are talked about, they are not obviously discussed judicially. There are mainly two Principles of Natural Justice. These two Principles are:

• ‘Nemo judex in causa sua’. No one should be made a judge in his own cause, and the rule against bias.
• ‘Audi alteram partem’ means to hear the other party, or no one should be condemned unheard.

The historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, archaeo-anthropologists, Anthropo-archaeologists, sociologists, psychologists and related experts do not deal with these important conditions to pass any remarks or come to conclusions. Going to extremes, violating the norms that are framed the ideologists by themselves, and jumping to conclusions with biased views have been the hall-mark of many such studies.

How the audience was responding to the Buddhist prayer……..

How the audience was responding to the Buddhist prayer…………………..

How I struggled to reach and left Vijayawada Railway Station: How I reached Vijayawada Railway station was explained above on Fenbruary 28^th midnight and March 1^st early morning. On 2^nd March also, I had a different experience to reach the Vijayawada station. The seminar paper presentation was going on, as I had to catch the train, I came out of the hall searching for the driver. He was there, and we had lunch quickly and about to leave, but, I was informed that some other driver and vehicle would come. So I was waiting…….and the time was 2.00 pm. I asked the convener many times and I was informed “the vehicle would come.”  It was 2.30 PM and then, realizing the situation, I was taken by a car. Of course, the driver and car were there only[7]. Anyway, the driver could drop me at the end of the platform, so that I could walk to the platform[8]. Slowly, I started walking with the bag to the Platform No.10 where, the JanSatabdi was to come. When I reached PF.No.10, the passenger started running back, shouting at me, that it was here at PF.No.8. Some stranger helped me taking my bag and I started walking slowly. It took me perhaps 10 to 15 minutes and the train was about to start. I was waving my hand towards the train, as if I was doing it for a bus to stop. But, the driver was looking at me and showed his finger “1,” obviously, he might wait for one minute. Meanwhile that stranger handed over my bag to another stranger and went away. When I came near to the train, he (the second stranger) suggested me to gt into the first carriage and pushed my luggage inside. The moment I entered the train and started requesting to the TTR, one youth asked me to sit in one seat, as he was not travelling and got down……….The train started…..So finally, I settled down there in the same compartment, instead of my regular / confirmed seat away from the first compartment[9]. At last I could reach Chennai with 20 minutes delay. My regular Auto driver came and I could reach home by 11.40 PM.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

05-03-2023

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[1] Ferguson, Jane M. “Who’s Counting?: Ethnicity, Belonging, and the National Census in Burma/Myanmar.” Bijdragen tot de taal-, land-en volkenkunde/Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia 171.1 (2015): 1-28.

[2] Kumar, M. Satish (2006). ‘The census and women’s work in Rangoon, 1872–1931’, Journal of Historical Geography 32:377–97.

[3] Webb, C. Morgan (1912). Census of India, 1911. Vol. ix, Burma Part i. Report. Rangoon: Office of Superintendent, Government Printing and Stationery.

[4] Lowis, C.C. (1902). Census of India, 1901. Volume xii, Burma. Part i. Report. Rangoon: Office of Superintendent, Government Printing and Stationery

[5] Richard A. Baer, Jr. The Supreme Court’s Discriminatory Use of the Term “Sectarian”, Originally published in The Journal of Law & Politics, Vol. VI, No. 3, Spring 1990.

[6] https://blogs.cornell.edu/envirobaer/publications/the-supreme-courts-discriminatory-use-of-the-term-sectarian/

[7]  In other words, instead of keeping me waiting there for nearly one-and-half hours, I could have been sent earlier with the same driver and car. Why I was kept delayed was known to God only.

[8]  Actually, the driver helped me in reaching the station in time and also dropping at the right place. Of course, when we reached the Guest House to take the luggage, the other person / Assistant Professor was making unwanted comments that I would miss the train and so on. Though, he had also to come with me, he was delaying, so the driver took the decision to proceed, as the time was already 2.30 PM. Why the learned Asst.Prof was delaying was also known only to God.

[9] I can write a story about this, as how many strangers helped me to get into a train, sit comfortably in a seat and reach my home at one side, whereas, at the other side – all learned professors etc., but made me tensed fully knowing my health problems. Of course, I informed my travel plan, my health problem etc through e-mails and letter also (with many phone calls in between).

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1st and 2nd 2023 (3)

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1^st and 2^nd 2023 (3)

01-03-2023 (Wednesday) – afternoon session: Afternoon, the second session, the following papers were presented:

Speaker / paper presenter	Title of the paper	Page no.
P. D. Satya Paul[1]	Title – not known, not listed / included in the “Abstracts” He spoke twice for nearly two hours….	?
K. V. Ramakrishna Rao[2]	The Sectarian encounters between the Buddhist and Jain faiths during the Medieval period for commercialization and communalization	34-35

P. D. Satya Paul delved upon the communal Hinduism criticizing P.V. Kane who carried on the Maxmueller’s project, Dr S. Radhakrishan for his opinion about Buddha (Buddha’s movement was a protestant type of reformative Hinduism) and Swami Vivekananda for perpetuating caste. He was suggesting about a “proto-sramanic” tradition before IVC, based on which, the Buddhism could have been evolved.

Getting ready for power-point…..

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao presented his paper, “The Sectarian encounters between the Buddhist and Jain faiths during the Medieval period for commercialization and communalization,” based on the medieval inscriptions, sculptures, paintings and literature. The question of “Himsa and Ahimsa” (violence and non-violence), karma, atma, rebirth etc., the following issues were discussed:

• Why Jainism and Buddhism flourished before and after the “golden period” of the Guptas?:
• What happened between the Arab / Mohammedan invasion and European intrusion during the 12^th to 16^th centuries?:
• The impact of the Europeans on the Jains and Buddhists during the medieval period
• The psychology of Non-violence and violence
• A Dispute between the Mahayana Buddhists and Digambar Jains over Mt Girnar (Gujarat), where all sectarian groups had encounters
• Internal and inherent factors are also responsible for the decline of Jainism and Buddhism
• Transition of faiths in Andhradesa and clash of faiths
• The Jaina-Buddhist conflicts in Karnataka and Tamilagam
• Ahimsavadis – Jains and Buddhists eating flesh
• Vegetarianism, non-vegetarianism and Jaina-Buddha dynasties
• Rivalry among the Business men and Priests
• Dynasties following sectarian faiths and their transition
• Sectarian faiths made talented workers to loose their identity
• Rivalry Among the Jains and Saivites or Sculptors and Agriculturalists?:
• Brahmins versus non-Brahmins
• Sectarian conflicts recorded in the inscriptions
• Oil, oil-mill and their euphemism in Jainism
• Was there any nexus between Jains and extremist groups like Kapalika, Kalamuka etc?:
• Syncretism, eclectism and inculturation
• In-lieu of conclusion – Commercialization and communalization of sectarianism

The Jaina monks that were defeated in the debates were punished based on their agreed condition……

This type of sculptures are found in many temples…….

Then, the following conclusions were drawn:

It could be noted in the most of the sectarian encounters of whatever nature, whether it was philosophical debate, theological polemics, right over property, manufacture and production of goods and services, imports and exports, monopoly of trade route and related issues. Thus, the following features could easily be noted working:

• Commercialization and communalization of sectarianism had been the hallmark of medieval inland and oversea trade and commerce.
• As more and more goods and services had to be manufactured and produced, more labourers, workers and technicians were required for carrying out various assembly, fabrication and construction activities.
• Such experts had to be trained, organized and made to work according the exigencies, emergencies and requirements at national and international obligations.
• Thus, such experts had to be faithful, loyal and obedient to the authority, rulers and government.
• Here, the merchant guilds, trade groups and commercialized communal organizations worked effectively aiding and abetting the rulers.
• Accordingly, most of them had to be polyglots, dubashis, sailors, warriors, pirates and profiteers also.
• Under such compulsions, complexities and commitments, social, political, commercial and maritime set-up, the moral, ethic and code of conduct were relegated to background, operated selectively and sectarianism ruled roost.
• The violators of their own imposed acts and rules were punished, prosecuted and even killed without any mercy, but, all carried on in the name of faith and religion only.
• Finally, syncretism had taken place to accommodate all deities, idols or the defied symbols in the places of worship.

Such depiction is found in the Buddhist paintings also…..

There was a discussion and questions by the Chair and Satya Paul and the paper presenter clarified. They questioned about the mentioning of Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara and Asoka as grandfather, father and son, but, I do not find any chronological or historical issue in the lineage.

Then, the former HOD of the department, who presided over the session, was facilitated.

Former HOD of the Mahayana Buddhism centre was facilitated.

02-03-2023 (Thursday) – second day proceedings:

Speaker / paper presenter	Title of the paper	Page no.
Yadhava Raghu[3]	Dasa movement and its impact on Telugu villages bordering Karnataka: a case of Pyalakurthy village, Kurnool district[4].	37-38 46
John Weasley[5]	Siddha cults in South India.	57
Sugandha[6]	The Buddhist perspective of social sratification	5 8
N. Kanakaratnam[7]	Caste revenge on adigas and Malas.	60
Eluri Harshavardhan[8]	Egalitarian ideals of Buddhism: A repository of counter discourse in Andhradesa	49

About dasa, dasari, dasari caste etc: Dasari is a Vaishnava mendicant caste in Telangana region and Andhra Pradesh, India. They are involved in various business, trades, poojas, marriage rituals, plays and agriculture. Their traditional work is in temple service. They perform death rites in burial grounds as their main occupation. Some of them work as day laborers. They are landless. Some of the Dasari Mala work in business and agriculture. They use both modern and traditional medicines. They are not vegetarians and eat rice as a staple food. The Dasari Mala prefer marriage between cousins. The bereaved and divorced can marry again. The dead are buried rather than cremated like most Hindus. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property with the oldest son taking charge of the family estate. They observe birth and marriage rituals. They are also known as Poosala Balija, Bukka Dasari, and Krishna Balija in different areas of their habitation. However, in Karnataka, how castes with similar sounding names can be mistaken can be noted. In Karnataka, the Dasari caste comes under Category-1 whereas Channa Dasar is SC. Similarly, Bhoyi is Category-1, but Bhovi is SC. Jangama comes under the general category, but Beda Jangama is SC. Therefore, just with the word, “Dasari,” one cannot come to any conclusion. Moreover, the paper readers started with Kanakadasa story and then switched over to the Pyalakurthy village, Kurnool Dist., to claim that the “Dasari caste” people there could be connected with the “dasaris” of Karnataka. Obviously, he is confused with “dasa” of Madhwa tradition, “Dasari” caste and other “Dasari” tradition (being obedient servant / slave.)

These are some of the Tamil Siddhar as found on the temple pillars etc., dated to later medieval and modern periods….

About Siddha, Siddhi, Cittam etc: The seminar brochure claims, “Siddha Tradition in South India was evolved out of Buddhist school of Vajrayana was more prevalent among the lower strata, strived to attain equality in religious sphere. Many Siddha cult centres of present Andhra and Telangana states including Siddhavatam, Siddeswaram, Siddula Guttalu etc. are the live examples for this phenomenon. The medieval text (14-15^th CE) in couplet form ‘Navanadha Charitra’ written by Gourana also mentioned about the Siddhas.” It is not known what is the proof to claim that “Siddha Tradition in South India was evolved out of Buddhist school of Vajrayana..,” as the Tamil Siddha tradition has nothing to do with any Buddhism.  Taking the word “Siddha”( సిద్ధ), the Telugu scholars, researchers and even historians try to link them with “Siddhar, Siddha medicine” and so on, whereas, the Tamil Siddha (சித்த, சித்தர்) nothing to do with. In the process it attempts to narrate the relationship of places like Mahendragiri (of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh) with sage Agastya (one of the very important Siddhars of Siddha medicine) and possible origins of very old common religion (Siva Siddhanla) propagated by Dakshinamurti, through his four disciples from this place. names like Siddha, Sangam, Nandi which are still used in the same sense as they were used from time immemorial. Without knowing the fundamentals, Tamil language and reading the texts of Tamil Siddhas, they misinterpret taking the words. Many list of the places, cities etc., with “సిద్ధ” in Telugu, go on interpret that all such places are connected with Siddhas since immemorial. Of course, they take the Agastya myth also for strengthening their argument.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

05-03-2023

These are imaginary pictures of 18- Tamil Siddhars…

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[1] Department of Anthropology, Andhra University – Visakhapatnam – appears to be involved in Dalit, Christian and related studies.

[2] Guest faculty, University of Madras and Visiting faculty for Annamalai University, Research Scholar, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras, Chennai.

[3] Asst.Prof, History Dept, Sathya SaiUniversity for Human Excellence, Kalaburagi, Karnataka.

[4] His paper has been printed twice as shown – this shows the mechanical way of preparation of “Abstracts” without going into the details.

[5] Research scholar, Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies, ANU, AP.

[6] Research scholar, Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies, ANU, AP.

[7]  Professor, History, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana.

[8] Dept. of History and Archaeology, Dravidian University, Kuppam, AP.